COLUMBUS, Ohio – Highlighted by a Top 3, school record-breaking finish in the 400 freestyle relay as well as impressive individual performances from a host of current and former Buckeyes, the Ohio State men’s swimming and diving team is off to a fast start at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Irvine, Calif.

Scheduled to take place Aug. 6-10, the five day national showcase will continue Saturday and Sunday with finals in the 400 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, 400 medley relay, 200 medley, 800 freestyle and 50 freestyle yet to come.

Former Buckeye standout Tim Phillips continued to solidify his place among the elite swimmers in the world with a third-place showing in the 100 butterfly Friday evening. Phillips touched in 51.54, approximately two-tenths of a second behind leader Tom Shields and runner-up Michael Phelps. In prelims, Phillips qualified second with a time of 51.49, the then third-fastest time in the United States this year.

Phillips was an All-American swimmer during his time at Ohio State. Most recently, he set a Big Ten record with a time of 45.10 in the 100 butterfly at the 2014 NCAA Championships to place third. Thus far in Irvine, Phillips has posted a runner-up finish in the 50 butterfly (23.58) as well as a fifth-place touch in the B Final of the 100 freestyle (49.64).

Like Phillips, rising junior DJ MacDonald has held his own with some of the nation’s best. Placing fifth overall in the 200 breaststroke (2:11.27), MacDonald will now be recognized as a member of the US National Team and have the opportunity to compete in either the Pan American Games or World University Games. During his time at Ohio State, MacDonald has developed into the staple of the Buckeye breaststroke contingent. A 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifier, he held Ohio State’s top times in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events this season.

Not to be overshadowed, the Buckeyes recorded a Top 3 finish in the 400 freestyle relay on the first day of competition. With an Ohio State varsity record time of 3:21.97 for third, the quartet of Michael DiSalle, Josh Fleagle, Garrett Trebilcock and Matt McHugh brought their A game to the national stage.

Also in relay action, Ohio State took sixth in the 800 freestyle relay (7:37.19) behind swims from DiSalle, Steven Zimmerman, Fleagle and Andrew Appleby.

To compliment his relay performances, DiSalle competed in the 100 and 200 freestyle events. Earning Top 30 finishes in each, the rising senior took 28th in the 100 freestyle and 23rd in the 200 freestyle with times of 49.91 and 1:49.81, respectively. Mirroring those events, Fleagle took 47th in the 100 freestyle and 35th in the 200 freestyle.

The Buckeyes have showcased their depth in backstroke events with Zimmerman, Appleby, Trebilcock and McHugh all competing in events thus far. Starting with the 200 backstroke, Zimmerman earned 19th in 2:01.70, while Appleby touched in 2:07.96 for 74th. In the 50 backstroke, Zimmerman qualified for the B Final and placed third with a time of 25.84. Qualifying for the C Final, McHugh took 24th overall, while Trebilcock and Appleby earned 37th and 44th in prelims, respectively.

McHugh, who specializes in butterfly events, took third in the C Final of the 50 butterfly for 19th overall, as well as 57th in the 100 butterfly. Trebilcock also represented Ohio State in those events, placing 45th in the 50 butterfly and 48th in the 100 butterfly.

For a behind-the-scenes look of the Buckeyes at the Phillips 66 National Championships follow the squad’s Twitter @OhioState_MSwim.